Gas operable electrical connector and method

ABSTRACT

An electrical connector unit having a pair of complementally configured connector components which are adapted to be opened and closed by pressurized gas. A tubular member is coupled to one of the components which has a gas-conveying passage therein for introducing pressurized, arc-suppressing gas into the interior of the connector. Means within the member selectively direct the gas at high pressure through the one component and against the other component to shift the two components away from each other and open the connector, and selectively directs the gas at a low pressure offering minimal resistance to closing movement of the components during closing thereof.

United States Patent 1191 Harmon 1*Sept. 10, 1974 GAS OPERABLE ELECTRICAL 3,181,797 5/1965 Hayes 137/5991 x 3,327,760 6/1967 Crawford, Jr 137/599 x CONNECTOR AND METHOD 1 3,374,331 3/1968 Brockhaus et al. 339/117 RX [75] In entor: Robert Harmon, Centraha, 3,649,952 3/1972 Harmon 339/45 R [73] Assignee: A. B. Chance Company, Centralia,

The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to Mar. 14, 1989, has been disclaimed.

Filed: Feb. 17, 1972 Appl. No.: 227,155

Related US. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 20,641, March 18, 1970, Pat. No. 3,649,952.

Notice:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1942 Loewe 137/599 X Dutter 137/599 X 9 r r 1 t 9 Primary Examiner-Marvin A. Champion Assistant Examiner-Terrell P. Lewis Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Schmidt, Johnson, Hovey &

Williams [57] ABSTRACT An electrical connector unit having a pair of complementally configured connector components which are adapted to be opened and closed by pressurized gas. A tubular member is coupled to one of the components which has a gas-conveying passage therein for introducing pressurized, arc-suppressing gas into the interior of the connector. Means within the member selectively direct the gas at high pressure through the one component and against the other component to shift the two components away from each other and open the connector, and selectively directs the gas at a low pressure offering minimal resistance to closing movement of the components during closing thereof.

22 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures GAS OPERABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND I METHOD CROSS REFERENCE This is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 20,641, filed Mar. 18, 1970, and entitled GAS-SEPARABLE ELECTRICAL CONNEC- TOR AND METHOD, now US. Pat. No. 3,649,952.

This invention relates to electrical distribution equipment and, more particularly, to a novel electrical connector and method of opening and closing a pair of complemental connector components.

The aforementioned patent discloses a method and apparatus for separating a pair of electrical connector components by the force of pressurized, arcsuppressing gas. Such apparatus has been found partic' ularly useful in conjunction with electrical connectors in underground installations wherein the connector may be left undisturbed for a period of several months or years before it is necessary to separate the connector components and break the electrical connection. The force of the pressurized gas assists in overcoming the bond between the interengaged surfaces of the connector components which has built up during the period of interengagement. Furthermore, the arc-suppressing characteristics of the gas effectively prevent arcing between the two components as the connector is opened.

It is also highly desirable to prevent arcing or prestrikes between the components when they are shifted relatively together upon closing of the connector. While the apparatus of the aforementioned patent presents a readily available source of gas for effectively suppressing such prestrikes during closing of the connector, the relatively high pressure of such gas presents substantial resistance to the closing operation. Introduction of a gas of sufficiently high pressure to effect separation of the connector components will necessarily offer excessively high resistance to manual closing of the components in opposition to the opening force exerted by the pressurized gas.

It is the primary object-of the present invention to provide apparatus for introducing pressurized arcsupporting gas into the interior of an electrical connector to effect separation of the components thereof, and means for selectively reducing the pressure of the arcsuppressing gas to facilitate closing of said connector components so that the gas may be introduced into the connector to prevent arcing during both opening and closing thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for introducing gas under pressure to the interior of a separable electrical connector which includes an elongated member having a bore therein for conducting gas into the connector and means communicating with the bore for selectively limiting the pressure of the gas to a predetermined level offering minimal resistance to closing movement of the connector.

A furtherobje ct of the invention in accordance with the preceding object is to provide a tubular member having a bypass duct interconnected in parallel relationship with the bore and means communicating with the bypass duct for reducing the pressure of gas flowing therethrough to said predetermined level so that the gas may flow directly through the bore at high pressure to facilitate opening of the connector and may be selectively directed through the bypass duct to the connector at low pressure to facilitate closing of the connector, there being means in the bore for controlling high pressure gas flow to the connector at the discretion of an operator, as well as second control means in the bypass duct for similarly providing discretionary control of the low pressure gas flow.

An important object of the present invention is also to provide a method of closing complementally configured connector components into tight sealing interengagement to preclude contamination thereof while introducing low pressure, arc-suppressing gas into the space surrounding the contact area of the connector.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of operating an electrical connector having complementally configured contact elements wherein arc-suppressing pressurized gas is directed through one of the connector components and against the other to facilitate separation of the connector, and wherein the connector is closed without interrupting flow of the arc-suppressing gas prior to closing by limiting pressure of the gas to a level offering minimal resistance to closing movement of the connector.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are specifically set forth in or will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an electrical connector as it would normally appear when effecting an electrical connection;

FIGS. 20 and 2b illustrate an electrical connector unit including the connector of FIG. 1 which is shown in enlarged, partial cross section in FIG. 2b and the member for operating the connector which is shown in cross section and is partially visible in each of FIGS. 2a and 2b; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the gas-conveying circuitry of the operating member. An electrical connector unit is designated by the numeral 10 in FIGS. 2a and 2b and includes an operating tool 12 in the form of a tubular member, and an electrical connector 14 coupled to tool 12. The electrical connector 14 is essentially identical to the electrical connector disclosed and described in the aforementioned patent to which reference may be made for further understanding thereof.

Briefly, the separable connector 14 includes a first connector component 16 in the form of an elbow connector, and a second connector component 18 that extends from the electrical apparatus housing. The connector component 18 includes an insulating housing 20 and a generally cylindrical, slotted female contact body 22 disposed within a central opening of housing 20 and spaced inwardly from the exposed end of the latter. The insulating housing 20 has a lateral projection which presents a tapered, extended surface area 24 for engagement with a tapered and complementally configured surface area 26 of a second insulating housing 28 which is associated with connector component 16. The insulating housing 28 has a frustoconical projection 30 and a threaded insert 32 at the terminal end of projection 30. An L-shaped, semiconductor 34 is embedded within housing 28 in surrounding relationship to an intersecured cable conductor 36 and the threaded end portion of a male contact element 38. Element 38 includes an arc-suppressing extension 40 which is interconnected to the main portion of the contact element 38 by an annular connecting link 42.

Insulating housing 28 also defines a gas-conveying passage 44 which aligns and communicates with a central passage 46 in contact element 38. In contrast to the connector disclosed in the aforementioned patent, the passage 44 of the present connector 14 is open and communicates the contact area of the connector with the terminal end of housing 28 at all times. The remaining structure of connector 14 is identical to the connector disclosed in the aforementioned patent.

When the connector unit is in an open disposition, the two components 16 and 18 will be spaced from one another so as to define a clearance opening therebetween which freely interconnects the space between the separated contact elements 38 and 22 with the exterior of the connector 14 and thus the atmosphere. The electrical connection is effected by shifting the components toward one another such as by inserting the male contact element 38 within the female contact element 22. As the complementally configured housings and 28 approach one another, the clearance opening between tapered surfaces 24 and 26 proportionately closes until, ultimately, the housings 20 and 28 are forced into tight, sealing interengagement. The slotted end of female contact element 22 exerts a spring-like gripping force on the male contact element 38 to assure tight interengagement of the elements. As used in an underground vault, the connector 14 will be disposed with projection in a vertical, easily accessible position.

Referring now to the operating tool 12 which is continuous from the right-hand edge of FIG. 2a to the frustoconical projection 30 of the connector 14 in FIG. 2b, the tool 12 comprises an elongated tubular member having a nipple 48 at one end thereof adapted to be received in sealing engagement within threaded insert 32. The tubular member is constructed from a pair of tubes 50 and S2 of insulating material which are interconnected at juncture 54 so that only tube 50 is presented for communication with the gas-conveying passage 44 ofthe connector 14. A rigid body 56 of foam resin surrounds the tubes 50 and 52, and a casing 58 of resinous insulating material encloses body 56. The one end of the tubular member is provided with a frustoconical receptacle 60 which is composed of an inner layer of resilient insulating material and an outer conductive covering. The receptacle 60 is secured to casing 58 by a suitable adhesive. A unicellular foam resin, such as polystyrene, may be utilized for the body 56, and a resinous material such as epoxy resin may be utilized for the casing 58.

The ends of the tubular member are closed with blocks 62 and 64, preferably made of an epoxy resin to preclude th entrance of moisture into the member. Block 64 has a U-shaped tube 66 embedded therewithin for interconnecting the ends of tubes 50 and 52. A threaded nipple 68 is provided at block 64. A source of pressurized gas, such as a refillable cylinder 70, provided with a threaded neck 72 and an internal seal 74, may be secured in sealing relationship upon nipple 68 to supply gas through tube 66 to both of tubes 50 and 52.

A conventional flow control valve 76, represented schematically both in FIGS. 2aand 3, controls the flow of pressurized gas through the internal bore presented by tube 50, this valve being operated by a spring-biased actuator 80. To preclude accidental operation of the actuator 80, a springbiased covering plate 82 is supported externally of casing 58 by an annular rib 84 and a shoulder 86. Access to the actuator is possible only through an opening 88 in the covering plate 82, and this opening is normally biased out of alignment with the actuator 80 by a coil spring 90. Torsional guides 92 on the inner surface of plate 82 prevent the opening 88 from being rotated out of alignment with the actuator 80.

A second conventional flow control valve 94, represented schematically in the drawing, controls the flow of gas through the duct presented by tube 52. A threaded, rotary stem actuator 96 for the valve 94 protrudes outwardly of the tubular member for easy accessibility. A flow-restricting orifice 98 is interposed within tube 52 at a location downstream of valve 94 in relationship to the flow of gas from cylinder 70 to connector 14. Also interposed in tube 52 at a location adjacent juncture 54, is a one-way check valve 100 which is also schematically illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 3. A bleed conduit 102 in the form of a right-angle tube interconnects tube 52 with the external atmosphere surrounding tool 12. As can best be seen in FIG. 3, the bleed conduit 102 interconnects with tube 52 at a location upstream of check valve 100 and downstream of orifice restrictor 98.

When it is desired to break the electrical connection, the cylinder 70 is threaded upon nipple 68 so as to break seal 74 and place tool 12 in a standby condition with pressurized gas filling the portions of tubes 50 and 52 upstream of the respective control valves 76 and 94. As viewed in FIG. 2a, the portions of tubes 50 and 52 disposed leftwardly of the associated control valves, are presented with the high pressure gas from cylinder 70 in this standby condition. The operating tool is then positioned so that the receptacle 60 can receive the projection 30, and the nipple 48 is threaded onto insert 32 to bring bore 78 into sealed communication with the connector passage 44. Next, the spring-biased cover plate 82 is shifted leftwardly to align opening 88 with actuator 80, and the latter is then depressed to actuate valve 76 and clear the bore 78 of tube 50 to permit flow of pressurized gas therethrough into the gas-conveying passage 44. The gas emanating from the end of arcsuppressing extension 40 is free to travel through the slotted end of female contact element 22 to completely surround a contact region of the respective male and female contact elements 38 and 22.

Although any one of a number of gases which are characterized by arc-suppressing properties can be employed, it is preferable to use an electronegative gas such as SF When SF is introduced into the cylinder 70 as a liquid, it will develop a pressure of approximately 300 to 350 psi. at 20 to 25 C. The contact elements 38 and 22 are surrounded by the arcsuppressing gas only instantaneously before the pressure of the gas acting against the female contact element 22 forces the two contact elements to separate by moving relatively away from each other. This breaks the bond between the two contact elements and the interengaged surfaces 24 and 26 of their respective insulating housings. It is to be understood that the term separate, as used in this application, includes a partial separation through relative shifting of the contact elements sufficient to break the aforedescribed seal or bond between the two connector components 16 and 18. Complete separation of the two connector components is immediately effected since the operator is already exerting a rearward force on the tool 12. As soon as separation is achieved, the actuator button 80 will be released to allow it to return to its normally closed position and the cover plate 82 likewise will be released to allow it to return to its normally closed position. By completely surrounding the contact region of the complemental elements 22 and 46 with an arcsuppressing gas, arcing of the two relatively moving contacts is substantially precluded. The check valve 100 blocks reverse flow of the high pressure gas from the bore 78 of tube 50 to the bleed conduit 102 to assure maintenance of gas flow at high pressure to the connector during opening, or separating, thereof.

When it is desired to close the connector 14, the actuator 96 is rotated to operate valve 94 and clear the tube 52 to permit flow of gas generally through tube 52 to tube 50 and subsequently gas-conveying passage 44. Orifice 98 severely restricts flow of the pressurized gas from cylinder 70, and this flow is subsequently divided to flow both through bleed conduit 102 and across check valve 100 to the bore 78 of tube 50. The interconnection of tube 52 with tube 50 in parallel, bypassing relationship to the control valve 76 associated therewith, thereby permits a bypass gas flow to the electrical connector even though valve 76 is closed.

By bleeding a portion of the bypass flow in tube 52 through bleed conduit 102 to atmosphere, this bypass flow is reduced in pressure to a level which offers minimal resistance to closing movement of the connector components 16 and 18. This low pressure, bypass gas flow will be at a pressure level substantially less than the pressure required to effect the above-described opening movement of the connector components. This low pressure gas flow into the space between the separated contact elements 22 and 38 envelops the area of contact between these elements, and subsequently continues out of this contact area via the clearance opening between the tapered surfaces 24 and 26. Accordingly, there is provided a continuous flow of the arcsuppressing gas into and through the space between the separated contact elements so that arcing therebetween is effectively prohibited.

The connector component I6 is shifted toward component 18 to effect complemental interengagement of the contact elements as described above, and throughout this movement, the continuous flow of low pressure, arc-suppressing gas through the contact area, is maintained. Asthe tapered surfaces 24 and 26 gradually approach one another, the clearance opening therebetween is proportionately reduced and finally closed to effect the complemental interengagement of the contact elements and completion of closing of the connector. After closing, the entire bypass flow within the duct presented by tube 52 is directed through bleed conduit 102 to atmosphere, or at least until actuator 96 is operated to close valve 94.

When the operating tool 12 is uncoupled from the connector 14 and the latter is in its normal disposition with the connector components 16 and 18 interengaged, a covering member 104, as seen in FIG. 1, complementally configured to receptacle 60, is disposed in sealing relationship overprojection 30 to prevent entry of contaminants into the interior of the connector. One or more holding springs 106 holds covering member 104 in tight sealing engagement with the projection 30 and precludes separation of the interengaged components l6 and 18.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the present invention also contemplates a novel method of closing an electrical connector comprised of a pair of complementally configured components defining a space therebetween when the connector is open, as well as a clearance opening interconnecting that space with the exterior of the connecotr; which includes the steps of introducing a continuous flow of low pressure, arc-suppressing gas into and through the space between the components and out of the clearance opening, and shifting the components relatively together into sealing interengagement to thereupon close the clearance opening and interrupt the continuous flow of gas, thereby maintaining the space between the components filled with the arc-suppressing gas throughout the closing operation.

Furthermore, it will be apparent that the invention contemplates a novel method of operating an electrical connector having a pair of complementally configured contact elements which includes the steps of introducing pressurized, arc-suppressing gas into the connector through one of the contact elements and surrounding the area of contact with the said gas. The connector is then separated by directing the gas under high pressure against the other component to shift the components relatively away from each other. Closing is effected by limiting the pressure of the gas introduced to a level insufficient to effect the separating step above described, and then subsequently shifting the components relatively together to interengage the contact elements thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for introducing gas under pressure to the interior of a separable electrical connector having a gas-conveying passage therein, comprising:

an elongated member having a bore for conducting said gas therethrough;

first means on said member for coupling one end thereof with a source of pressurized gas;

second means on said member for coupling the other end thereof to said connector in sealing relationship with said gas-conveying passage; and

means communicating with said bore for selectively limiting the pressure of said gas flowing therethrough to a predetermined level.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provided first valve means interposed in said bore for selectively permitting the flow of said pressurized gas therethrough directly to said gas-conveying passage to facilitate separation of said connector.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said member is provided with a bypass duct interconnected with said bore in parallel, bypassing relationship with said first valve means, said pressure limiting means communicating with said bypass duct.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said pressure-limiting means includes second valve means interposed in said bypass duct for selectively permitting flow of gas therethrough in bypassing relationship to said first valve means.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said pressure-limiting means further includes a bleed conduit interconnecting said bypass duct with the exterior of said member, whereby to bleed a portion of said bypass flow in said bypass duct and thereupon limit pressure of said bypass flow to said predetermined level to facilitate closing of said connector.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said pressure-limiting means further includes a restrictor interposed in said bypass duct for limiting the rate of said bypass flow.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein is provided a one-way check valve interposed in said bypass duct upstream of the interconnection thereof with said bleed conduit, said check valve being operable to block reverse flow of said gas from said bore to said bleed conduit.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said restrictor is interposed in said bypass duct upstream of said second valve means, and wherein said bleed conduct interconnects with said bypass duct upstream of said restrictor.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said member comprises a first tube of insulating material defining said bore, a second tube of insulating material defining said bypass duct and interconnected in parallel with said first tube, a rigid body of foam resin surrounding said tubes, and an outer casing of insulating material enclosing said body.

10. Apparatus for surrounding the contact area of a separable electrical connector with arc-suppressing gas, wherein said connector has a gas-conveying passage leading to said contact area, said apparatus comprising:

a tubular member having a bore therein, said member being adapted to be joined to the connector to communicate said bore with the passage;

means for supplying pressurized, arc-suppressing gas to said contact area through said bore and the passage during both opening and closing of the connector; and

means operably associated with said member for directing said gas at high pressure through said bore during opening of the connector, and for directing said gas at low pressure through said bore while bleeding excess gas therefrom to the atmosphere during closing of the connector.

11. An electrical connector unit comprising:

a pair of connector components having interengageable, complementally configured contact elements defining a space surrounding said elements, one of said components having a gas-conveying passage extending therethrough to communicate with said space;

a member coupled to said one connector component in sealing relationship with said gas-conveying passage for directing gas under pressure to said space; and

means operatively connected with said gas-conveying passage for selectively reducing pressure of said gas flowing to said space to facilitate closing movement of said connector effecting interengagement of said elements.

12. A unit as set forth in claim 11, wherein said member is provided with a bore extending longitudinally therethrough for conducting high pressure gas to said space to facilitate separation of said connector components, and wherein is provided first valve means in said bore for selectively permitting flow of said high pressure gas therethrough when actuated.

13. A unit as set forth in claim 12, wherein said member is provided with a bypass passage interconnecting with said bore in parallel relationship with said first valve means, and wherein is provided second valve means in said second passage for selectively permitting flow of gas therethrough when actuated.

14. A unit as set forth in claim 13, wherein said means for reducing pressure interconnects with said bypass passage to reduce pressure of said gas flowing therethrough, whereby actuation of said first valve means facilitates separation of said components while actuation of said second valve means facilitates closing of said components.

15. A unit as set forth in claim 14, wherein said means for reducing pressure includes means for bleeding a portion of said flow of gas in said bypass passage to the exterior of said member, and means for restrict ing the rate of flow of gas through said bypass passage when said second valve means is actuated, said restricting means and bleeding means interconnecting with said bypass passage at positions sequentially upstream of said second valve means.

16. A unit as set forth in claim 15, wherein is provided a one-way check valve in said bypass passage upstream of said bleeding means for blocking reverse flow of gas from said bore to said bleeding means when said first valve means is actuated.

17. A method of closing an electrical connector comprised of a pair of spaced, complementally-configured components defining a clearance opening therebetween when said connector is in an open disposition, said clearance opening freely interconnecting the space between said components with the exterior of said connector, comprising the steps of:

introducing a continuous flow of low pressure, arcsuppressing gas into and through said space and out said clearance opening; and

shifting said components relatively together into sealing interengagement to thereupon close said clearance opening and interrupt said continuous flow of gas through said space, thereby to maintain said space filled with said gas throughout said closing of the connector.

18. A method as set forth in claim 17, wherein said gas-introducing step includes directing a flow of gas from a high pressure source to said connector, and reducing pressure of said high pressure gas to a level facilitating closing of said connector.

19. A method as set forth in claim 17, wherein said shifting step includes proportionately closing said clearance space during said shifting of the components relatively together.

20. A method of operating an electrical connector comprised of a pair of connector components having complementally configured contact elements, comprising the steps of:

introducing pressurized, arc-suppressing gas into said connector through one of said components; surrounding the area of contact between said contact elements with said arc-suppressing gas;

separating said connector by directing said gas against the other component in a direction to shift ing the step of blocking reverse flow of said gas from said area of contact through said one of the components.

22. A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said closing step includes the step of reducing pressure of said gas flowing into the connector to a level facilitating said shifting of the components relatively together. 

1. Apparatus for introducing gas under pressure to the interior of a separable electrical connector having a gas-conveying passage therein, comprising: an elongated member having a bore for conducting said gas therethrough; first means on said member for coupling one end thereof with a source of pressurized gas; second means on said member for coupling the other end thereof to said connector in sealing relationship with said gasconveying passage; and means communicating with said bore for selectively limiting the pressure of said gas flowing therethrough to a predetermined level.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is provided first valve means interposed in said bore for selectively permitting the flow of said pressurized gas therethrough directly to said gas-conveying passage to facilitate separation of said connector.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said member is provided with a bypass duct interconnected with said bore in parallel, bypassing relationship with said first valve means, said pressure limiting means communicating with said bypass duct.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said pressure-limiting means includes second valve means interposed in said bypass duct for selectively permitting flow of gas therethrough in bypassing relationship to said first valve means.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said pressure-limiting means further includes a bleed conduit interconnecting said bypass duct with the exterior of said member, whereby to bleed a portion of said bypass flow in said bypass duct and thereupon limit pressure of said bypass flow to said predetermined level to facilitate closing of said connector.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said pressure-limiting means further includes a restrictor interposed in said bypass duct for limiting the rate of said bypass flow.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein is provided a one-way check valve interposed in said bypass duct upstream of the interconnection thereof with said bleed conduit, said check valve being operable to block reverse flow of said gas from said bore to said bleed conduit.
 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said restrictor is interposed in said bypass duct upstream of said second valve means, and wherein said bleed conduct interconnects with said bypass duct upstream of said restrictor.
 9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said member comprises a first tube of insulating material defining said bore, a second tube of insulating material defining said bypass duct and interconnected in parallel with said first tube, a rigid body of foam resin surrounding said tubes, and an outer casing of insulating material enclosing said body.
 10. Apparatus for surrounding the contact area of a separable electrical connector with arc-suppressing gas, wherein said connector has a gas-conveying passage leading to said contact area, said apparatus comprising: a tubular member having a bore therein, said member being adapted to be joined to the connector to communicate said bore with the passage; means for supplying pressurized, arc-suppressing gas to said contact area through said bore and the passage during both opening and closing of the connector; and means operably associated with said member for directing said gas at high pressure through said bore during opening of the connector, and for directing said gas at low pressure through said bore while bleeding excess gas therefrom to the atmosphere during closing of the connector.
 11. An electrical connector unit comprising: A pair of connector components having interengageable, complementally configured contact elements defining a space surrounding said elements, one of said components having a gas-conveying passage extending therethrough to communicate with said space; a member coupled to said one connector component in sealing relationship with said gas-conveying passage for directing gas under pressure to said space; and means operatively connected with said gas-conveying passage for selectively reducing pressure of said gas flowing to said space to facilitate closing movement of said connector effecting interengagement of said elements.
 12. A unit as set forth in claim 11, wherein said member is provided with a bore extending longitudinally therethrough for conducting high pressure gas to said space to facilitate separation of said connector components, and wherein is provided first valve means in said bore for selectively permitting flow of said high pressure gas therethrough when actuated.
 13. A unit as set forth in claim 12, wherein said member is provided with a bypass passage interconnecting with said bore in parallel relationship with said first valve means, and wherein is provided second valve means in said second passage for selectively permitting flow of gas therethrough when actuated.
 14. A unit as set forth in claim 13, wherein said means for reducing pressure interconnects with said bypass passage to reduce pressure of said gas flowing therethrough, whereby actuation of said first valve means facilitates separation of said components while actuation of said second valve means facilitates closing of said components.
 15. A unit as set forth in claim 14, wherein said means for reducing pressure includes means for bleeding a portion of said flow of gas in said bypass passage to the exterior of said member, and means for restricting the rate of flow of gas through said bypass passage when said second valve means is actuated, said restricting means and bleeding means interconnecting with said bypass passage at positions sequentially upstream of said second valve means.
 16. A unit as set forth in claim 15, wherein is provided a one-way check valve in said bypass passage upstream of said bleeding means for blocking reverse flow of gas from said bore to said bleeding means when said first valve means is actuated.
 17. A method of closing an electrical connector comprised of a pair of spaced, complementally configured components defining a clearance opening therebetween when said connector is in an open disposition, said clearance opening freely interconnecting the space between said components with the exterior of said connector, comprising the steps of: introducing a continuous flow of low pressure, arc-suppressing gas into and through said space and out said clearance opening; and shifting said components relatively together into sealing interengagement to thereupon close said clearance opening and interrupt said continuous flow of gas through said space, thereby to maintain said space filled with said gas throughout said closing of the connector.
 18. A method as set forth in claim 17, wherein said gas-introducing step includes directing a flow of gas from a high pressure source to said connector, and reducing pressure of said high pressure gas to a level facilitating closing of said connector.
 19. A method as set forth in claim 17, wherein said shifting step includes proportionately closing said clearance space during said shifting of the components relatively together.
 20. A method of operating an electrical connector comprised of a pair of connector components having complementally configured contact elements, comprising the steps of: introducing pressurized, arc-suppressing gas into said connector through one of said components; surrounding the area of contact between said contact elements with said arc-suppressing gas; separating said connector by directing said gas against the other component in a direction to shift saId components relatively away from each other; and closing said connector by limiting pressure of said gas flowing into the connector to a level insufficient to effect said separating step, and shifting said components relatively together to interengage said contact elements thereof.
 21. A method as set forth in claim 20, further including the step of blocking reverse flow of said gas from said area of contact through said one of the components.
 22. A method as set forth in claim 20, wherein said closing step includes the step of reducing pressure of said gas flowing into the connector to a level facilitating said shifting of the components relatively together. 